Topband: Antenna Tuners

[Jim Brown]

On Sun,2/14/2016 6:30 PM, Jim Murray via Topband wrote:
> would appreciate any opinions

My favorite has long been the Ten Tec 229/238 series of tuners. All 
essentially the same, except that the latest models use mechanical 
vernier indication of inductor position rather than a dial string (a 
major improvement).

These are L-section tuners, a major virtue of which is that they stay 
tuned over a wider bandwidth than other designs. And this tuner, which 
is essentially unchanged electrically for 30+ years, is more efficient 
than most tuners (according to ARRL reviews).

Issues that you will want to fix -- trade out the few fixed disc 
ceramics for caps with lower ESR and higher voltage ratings. If the unit 
has a dial cord, you'll probably want to restring it if it's flaky. They 
get that way when they get old. You may also want to add the specified 
optional fixed cap for 160M, depending on what it takes to tune your 
antenna.

The 229s go for about $275, dial cord versions of the 238 for $300 - 
$325, and newer versions of the 238 with mechanical indication for $400 
and up.

These are great tuners, and well worth chasing down and modifying. If 
your antenna is anywhere near reasonable, it won't require much retuning 
to cover the bottom half of the band.

73, Jim K9YC